Falmouth has a number of fine beaches near the town: Castle Beach; Gyllyngvase; Swanpool and Maenporth.

Gyllyngvase Beach

Gyllyngvase is the main beach of Falmouth. It is a wide sandy beach. You can walk to it from the town. Facilities include a cafe, shop, gardens, toilets and parking - car park close to the beach and some parking on Cliff Road.

Blue Flag award.

Dogs are not allowed on Gyllyngvase beach between Easter and October 1st but it is dog friendly between October and Easter when dogs are allowed.

RNLI Lifeguards are on duty at Gyllyngvase beach from mid May to the end of September. For more information about the lifeguard service - RNLI Area support centre Tel: 01872 572413 or email lifeguards@rnli.org.uk

Castle Beach

Castle Beach is a small beach which is a mixture of sand and rocks. It has rock pools. Facilities include toilets near to the beach, car park at Gyllyngvase beach from where you can walk to Castle beach or at Pendennis Point and road parking on Cliff Road, shop. There is no lifeguard service.

Dogs are not allowed on Castle beach between Easter and October 1st but it is dog friendly between October and Easter when dogs are allowed.

Swanpool Beach

Swanpool Beach is a sheltered sandy beach outside of Falmouth. Facilities include toilets, car park, cafe and a shop. The beach is easily accessible from the parking area. No lifeguard service.

Dogs are not allowed on Swanpool beach between Easter and October 1st but it is dog friendly between October and Easter when dogs are allowed.

Maenporth Beach

Maenporth is a sheltered sandy beach a short drive from Falmouth. The beach has easy access from the car park. Facilities include toilets, cafe and car park.

Some lifeguard cover provided by the Falmouth Surf Life Saving Club.
Dogs are not allowed on Maenporth beach between Easter and October 1st but it is dog friendly between October and Easter when dogs are allowed.

Both beaches are east facing and good for swimming. At low water the beaches are joined.
The beaches are easily accessible and popular with families.
At high tide the beaches disappear. Kayaking is very popular here.

There is some good snorkelling on the other side of the harbour around Cadycrowse Rocks and also on the far side of Little Perhaver. There are a few rock pools.

No lifeguard service.

Gorran Beach

A slipway gives access to the beach.

There is rescue equipment above Gorran Beach.

Facilities include a beach shop and pub. Toilets are located 50m from Gorran Beach opposite the Old Custom House. Large car park.

Gorran Beach is about 400m from the car park.

Gorran Beach is dog friendly with dogs allowed all year round but they must be kept on leads.

Wheelchair and pushchair accessible.

Little Perhaver Beach

Walk down the road from the car park and turn left onto Church Road.
After 90m there is a path on the right adjacent to Zion Cottage. Follow the path for 100m and go down the steps to Little Perhaver Beach. Alternatively, at low tide you can access this beach by walking across Gorran Beach.

Little Perhaver Beach is dog friendly with dogs allowed all year round.

Porthbean Beach with its golden sand is a hidden treasure on The Roseland near Portscatho.

The name is from the Cornish words 'porth' meaning bay and 'bean' meaning little.

Porthbean is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its biological diversity.

This beautiful beach is very quiet as it cannot be accessed by road. The only way to get to it is walking from the coast path or by parking on a minor road and following a public footpath to the coast.

There is no lifeguard cover, no facilities and no toilets at the beach. The nearest facilities are at Portscatho.

Portholland has two separate coves at high tide which are joined by golden sand at low tide. At low water the beaches merge into one large sandy beach with a few rocks and stones near the high water mark. There are some rock pools to explore. Swimming is possible on an incoming tide. Neither beach is suitable for surfing. Good for kayaking and sailing. At high tide snorkelling is good in the area between the two beaches.

West Portholland Beach

A small stone and shingle beach at high tide becoming sandy at low water.
A stream crosses the beach. Access to the beach is level.

West Portholland Beach is dog friendly with dogs allowed all year round.

No RNLI Service. There is rescue equipment above the beach.

Parking space for only a few cars.

East Portholland Beach

A large, sandy beach at low tide. There is no beach at high water. Access to the beach is via a short slipway.

A stream crosses the beach..

The beach is backed by a sea defence wall over which the stream cascades.
There are toilets behind the Chapel.

No RNLI Service. There is rescue equipment above the beach.

East Portholland Beach is dog friendly with dogs allowed all year round.